Sting: My Songs Tour: International

Sting delivers, but he certainly doesn't ask for tips...

It sounded good, there was hit after hit, and 67-year-old Sting was in top form. People got what they came for, but then no more than that. Photo: 

How wonderful it was to experience a top professional name like Sting on Friday night in little Holstebro - and how wonderful it could have been if Sting had also put some of his professionalism aside and genuinely shown that it was nice to experience Holstebro.

67 years old and still with a voice that is just as fit as the agile body he jumped around the stage in on Friday for the Open Air concert in Holstebro.

Of course, the voice doesn't have the same depth that it has at other times in his more than 40-year career, first with The Police and then as a soloist. But the voice also doesn't fear the harsh blows that other summer touring legends like Phil Collins, Bon Jovi and Mark Knopler have had to endure.

Not that Sting listens to critics anymore. There's no reason to. He has the money he needs. Didn't give interviews in Holstebro - he's said what needed to be said. And he has hits. Enough for an hour and 45 minutes. Earring after earring. It's not unnatural, but it's completely unusual.

The tour is called "My Songs". After Friday night, the almost 8,000 spectators understood the exact meaning: It's Sting's song, and not really anyone else's. As soon as there was the characteristic pat on the head from the singer, or a band member took a solo, people cheered and joined in. They wanted to be included, but these are "my songs", and Sting left no doubt about that. Of course, nothing can be said about his joy of playing, he smiled, waved a little to the front rows, exclaimed a "Hol-sta-brov" at the beginning of the concert and received a wave of applause as a thank you.

And then he fired off his hits. It went excellently when they were sure hits like Englishman in New York, not so well with the lesser-known hits, where the main character seemed content to shut himself in with his - formidable - abilities as a musician and singer.

Who do you call?

But then something happened.

The concert was five songs long. He approached the microphone in a quiet moment - not to say "one-two-three".

- Thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you. That's the only Danish I know. How wonderful it is to be in Holstebro. Holstebronx. It's the first time, he said, introducing his band.

And people cheered and laughed. Suddenly it all doesn't feel like a well-played record, but a natural moment from an artist who enjoyed being on tour.

"Brand New Day" was the next song. The symbolism was striking: Now the concert was supposed to change and become more personal - and yet it went wrong. "Fields of Gold" followed, then "Seven Days". It became sleepy, a little boring, and Sting did nothing to wake the people up. Otherwise he should know all the tricks by now. Just a simple "I can't hear you" or "Can we hear you down in the back"? No.

The low point was hit with "Fragile". Sure enough. Because you could barely hear the quiet number for the phone call with the person next to you, the FaceTime calls a little further on, or the groaning that arose among many in the audience.

So who do you call when you're in trouble? The police. And The Police saved the show. They are both giant hits and songs with some kick. And yet there were moments, even in "Roxanne", where Sting was practically chanting "Roxanne, Roxanne, Roxanne" to himself, so much so that you thought he had forgotten the audience and was trying out an alternative version of the song at home in the studio in England.

And then it was over. Sting beat his chest. Blowed kisses. Bowed. And you had the feeling that he had done exactly the same everywhere else on the tour. Not even a ceremonial "You've been lovely" remark could be made.

Instead, it became an unnatural Sting. Because he sounded distinguished at the age of 67. He delivered the goods, but doesn't ask for tips. Because how memorable it could have been if he had also been natural. Just a single anecdote before the next hit. We didn't get that. We got a legend in top form - in Holstebro! - but "If you love somebody set them free", that part Sting failed to convince his audience of.

(c) Folkebladet by Palle Hyldahl Brændsgaard